Apollo Global Management-backed Apollo Funds acquires Prosol Group

The acquisition of Prosol Group by Apollo-managed funds closed May 7, carving out a new platform in French specialty food retail and ending private investment firm Ardian’s ownership.

Prosol, launched in 1992, built a proprietary model that spans agricultural sourcing, maturation, logistics, and distribution.

It supplies or directly operates close to 450 stores across France, primarily under the Grand Frais and fresh.

banners, alongside concepts such as La Boulangerie du Marché, BioFrais, and mon-marché.fr.

The company’s integrated control over fresh departments—fruit and vegetables, fish, dairy, cheese, and butchery—fosters a loyal, fast-growing customer base.

The Apollo Funds acquired the majority stake from Ardian, with existing minority shareholders and management, led by CEO Jean-Paul Mochet, reinvesting alongside the new owner.

Mochet remains at the helm as the company pursues expansion of its retail concept.

UBS acted as lead financial advisor to the Apollo Funds, with Royal Bank of Canada and Lazard also providing financial advice.

Sidley Austin, Paul, Weiss, and Cleary Gottlieb served as legal counsel on the transaction.

The investment extends Apollo’s push into niche consumer sectors, adding a vertically integrated food retailer with a specialized store footprint and supply chain to its portfolio.